Europe Norway 100 years ago the name of the Norwegian capital was officially changed to the original 'Oslo', dating back to the end of the Viking Age and the foundation of the city in 1024; it had been renamed Christiania in 1624, then altered to Kristiania until 1925
Europe Romania 2024 was the hottest year in the history of Romania weather records, with an average annual temperature of 12,99 degrees Celsius, a thermal deviation of 2,71 degrees Celsius compared to the 1991-2020 average
Europe Ireland U2 frontman Bono was awarded the Medal of Freedom by Joe Biden; he paid tribute to his bandmates and fellow activists as he became the first Irish recipient of the highest US civilian honour since Mary Robinson, awarded by Barack Obama in 2009
Europe Hungary 2024 was the second most successful year in the history of the Hungarian economy in terms of stimulating investment, with 4 trillion forints (€9,6 billion), announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Europe Finland Greenhouse gas emissions have diminished significantly in 2024 because of the decrease in the use of fossil fuels in energy production, lower transport emissions and the impact of less intensive deforestation according to Etla Economic Research
Europe Croatia HaHaHouse was opened on Gajeva Street in Zagreb, on International Laughter Day, and is the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to laughter; over 40 different installations and exhibitions combine humour, art and technology
Europe Bulgaria Encroachments in Bulgarian forest areas decreased by over 60% in 2024 compared to 2023, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food; 631.000 inspections were carried out in 2024
Europe Belarus A ceremony presided by President Lukashenko marked the transition of Minsk's water supply system to underground artesian wells
Europe Belgium The Flemish regional government will fully reimburse the costs of asbestos removal in schools, announced Flemish Minister of Education Zuhal Demir
Europe Andorra The start of negotiations on the Andorran Health Service (SAAS) collective agreement continues to be postponed due to the provisional situation of the SAAS works council, awaiting renovation; backlog at negotiating table already amounts to almost 2 months
Europe Denmark The 'Greenland Issue' has taken center stage in international attention; as Danish PM wishes to speak to Donald Trump on the matter, the press focuses on the legal options available, saying Greenland can declare independence but cannot be ceded to US
Europe Vatican City Over half a million pilgrims from across the globe have passed through St Peter’s Basilica's Holy Door since the Jubilee Year 2025 began two weeks ago
Europe Poland After Poland granted Israel PM Netanyahu access to the 80th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz, the EU called on all member states to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, which had issued an arrest warrant for war crimes